Askar Akayev facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Askar Akayev
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Аскар Акаев
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Akayev in 2016
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| 1st President of Kyrgyzstan | |
| In office 27 October 1990 – 24 March 2005 |
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| Prime Minister | Nasirdin Isanov Andrei Iordan (Acting) Tursunbek Chyngyshev Almanbet Matubraimov (Acting) Apas Jumagulov Kubanychbek Jumaliyev Boris Silayev (Acting) Jumabek Ibraimov Boris Silayev (Acting) Amangeldy Muraliyev Kurmanbek Bakiyev Nikolai Tanayev |
| Vice President | Nasirdin Isanov German Kuznetsov Feliks Kulov |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Ishenbai Kadyrbekov (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 November 1944 Kyzyl-Bayrak, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union (now Kyrgyzstan) |
| Political party | Independent Forward Kyrgyzstan Party (affilated) |
| Spouse | Mayram Akayeva |
| Children | 4, including Bermet and Aidar |
| Residences | Moscow, Russia |
| Signature |  |
Askar Akayevich Akayev (born 10 November 1944) is a politician from Kyrgyzstan. He was the first President of Kyrgyzstan. He served from 1990 until 2005. He left office after a series of protests in March 2005. This event is known as the Tulip Revolution.
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Early Life and Education
Askar Akayev was born in Kyzyl-Bayrak, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He was the oldest of five brothers. His family worked on a collective farm.
In 1961, he started working as a metalworker. Later, he moved to Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg, Russia). There, he studied physics. He graduated from a university in Leningrad in 1967. He earned a degree in mathematics, engineering, and computer science.
He worked as a researcher and teacher in Leningrad until 1976. In 1970, he married Mayram Akayeva. They have two sons and two daughters. In 1977, they moved back to Kyrgyzstan. He became a senior professor at the Frunze Polytechnic Institute.
In 1981, he earned a doctorate degree. His studies focused on how information is stored and changed. In 1984, he joined the Kyrgyz Academy of Sciences. He became the vice president in 1987. By 1989, he was the president of the academy. He was also elected to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR that same year.
Becoming President
On 25 October 1990, the government of Kyrgyzstan held elections for a new president. Two candidates ran, but neither received enough votes. So, on 27 October, the Supreme Soviet chose Askar Akayev. He became the first president of the republic.
In 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev offered Akayev a high position. But Akayev said no. He was then elected president of the newly named Republic of Kyrgyzstan. This happened in an election where he was the only candidate. He was reelected two more times. Some people said these elections were not fair.
Akayev was seen as a leader who supported free markets. He believed in private ownership of land and businesses. His government was more open compared to other countries in Central Asia. He also supported a movement called Neo-Tengrism in Kyrgyzstan.
Public Protests
In March 2002, people started protesting. This happened when a member of parliament was put on trial. Over 2,000 people marched to the town where the trial was. Police told them to stop, but then opened fire. Five people were killed, and many more were hurt.
Later, in May, riot police clashed with protesters in Bishkek, the capital city. Protesters wanted Akayev to resign. Police broke up the crowds and arrested many people. Protests continued in the following years, but they were smaller.
Leaving Office
On 24 March 2005, many people protested in Bishkek. They stormed the presidential building. Protesters also took control of important cities in the south. They wanted Akayev to step down.
That day, Akayev and his family left the country. They went to Kazakhstan and then to Russia. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, invited Akayev to stay in Russia. Akayev officially resigned on 4 April. A group of members of parliament from Kyrgyzstan met him in Russia.
The Kyrgyz Parliament accepted his resignation on 11 April 2005.
Life After Presidency
Today, Askar Akayev works as a professor and researcher. He is at Moscow State University in Russia. He also helps coordinate a program about world dynamics. He is a supervisor at the HSE University in Moscow.
In 2021, Akayev was part of an investigation. It was about operations at the Kumtor Gold Mine. He returned to Bishkek for the first time in 16 years to help with the investigation. The case against him was later closed.
In 2022, Akayev spoke about fighting between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. He said that Kyrgyzstan should support Russia in its actions in Ukraine. He believes that Russia needs its allies during difficult times.
Honours
Foreign honours
Slovakia: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Double Cross (2003)- In 2012, he received the Gold Kondratieff Medal.
Kazakhstan: Order of Dostyk (2001)
See also
In Spanish: Askar Akáyev para niños
- Politics of Kyrgyzstan
